Back to basics

[LaurenM]

After spending months on ground work i.e. catching said horse, we've finally progressed to ridden work! Go us!

I haven't schooled a horse in years and don't know where to start.. suggestions please!!

Said horse avoids the bit, refuses to bend and sticks his head right up when changing transitions. He is also very nosey and smart so needs to be kept focused. Should I look at Parelli?

 

[kitkat86]

This may be a silly question, but have you done any lunging/long reining with him before progressing to ridden work? If you haven't then maybe you could help him improve on these problems by working on his balance and fitness a bit more. If he is sharp lunging over poles really gives them something to think about. Get someone to help you if you need to. Try to keep schooling sessions short, and end on a positive note. It doesn't matter if you have to step down the difficulty a bit so that the horse does not lose his confidence. If he's finding something difficult eg. trot to canter transitions, he may get worked up if you keep repeating that excercise. Go back to something he finds easy for a while so that he regains his confidence, then try asking the question again.

(Not an expert but hope this was helpful.)